Parish council grants will not be cut, says civic chiefs

CIVIC chiefs say a grant paid to parish councils by the city will not be reduced, despite government cuts.

The government’s council tax reduction scheme means poorer residents can receive up to 100 per cent off their council tax. Central government then provides money to the city council to compensate for these reductions (£150,000 last year), and the money can be distributed to parishes.

Cllr Stephen Godfrey, Winchester’s finance chief, said there had been a reduction of 14 per cent in funding for 2014/15, but the council will be able to mitigate the cuts.

“Unless the situation changes, we will maintain the distribution of the full and original grant in roughly the same proportions as we did this year and last,” he said.